Echoing the theme selected for this year's Appeal, "Whatever you can. For those who cannot," Bishop George W. Coleman points out in his letter to prospective supporters that donations "help the homeless, the hungry and the marginalized. In short, your efforts bring Christian dignity to all we serve."

Other Catholic Charities Appeal-financed services and ministries include hospital chaplaincy, summer day camp for handicapped children, family resources, campus ministry, CYO, the Television Mass and Rainbows, a program for grieving children.

"The Catholic Charities Appeal is a simple way we can all put our faith into action," Bishop Coleman explained. "No matter how large or small our contribution may be, we can, with this one gesture, live our faith by helping others experience the same love of God that has blessed our lives."

The Appeal is the one and only time during the year when the diocese asks for financial help to fund its charitable agencies and programs, which are open to anyone regardless of creed, race, nationality, gender or economic status. It maintains a low administrative expense ratio: 94 cents of every dollar contributed is directed to the services and programs funded by the Appeal.

Longtime supporters will notice the debut of a new logo for this year's Catholic Charities Appeal. It incorporates elements of the previous double heart logo along with the addition of the Christian fish icon symbolizing Jesus to offer a fresh, updated look for the Appeal.

Diocesan Development Director James A. Campbell, who began in the position last fall, had the logo commissioned.

"I knew it was important to retain some of the familiar old logo, so the new one still features two hearts, an outer red heart and an inner white heart," he said. "But it also includes the new image of what is popularly known as the 'Jesus fish.'"

Campbell noted that the logo also calls to mind historical and geographical characteristics of the Fall River Diocese.

"We felt there was a local connection in using the fish to represent not only the image of Jesus but also the seafaring nature of much of the diocese," he continued. "Not to mention that part of what we do through Catholic Charities is feed the hungry. So there are layers of meaning or interpretations that one can bring to it."

Last year the Catholic Charities Appeal raised $4,205,208.12, the sixth highest total in its 71-year history and the second highest total recorded from parishioner donations.

Campbell is optimistic as the 2013 Appeal gets underway and shared that this year's promotional video and literature reflect St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians: "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor 9:7).

"I wanted to emphasize the human faces that choose to give," he said.

The 2013 Catholic Charities Appeal will run through June 21. Additional information is available on the Catholic Charities website, www.frdioc-catholiccharities.org. Contributions may be made either through a one-time donation or through a pledge, which can be paid over ten months. Donations may be dropped off at any parish in the diocese, made through the website, or mailed to the Catholic Charities Appeal Office, P.O. Box 1470, Fall River, MA 02722. Please contact that office at (508) 675-1311 with any questions.